Friday, April 29, 2016

No matter how cheesy this sounds, the people who make us laugh and make us happy, are the biggest treasure. You know that moment when you're waiting for a lunch - with someone who makes you feel good - already in the evening. Or a message that puts a smirk on your face. Or a meeting with a friend who senses your sour mood and has the golden key on their pocket that unlocks the mood door and lets sunshine in.When we were shooting at Kau manor, I lost my mood at one point. It was a little thing. I told my kid: "The weather is amazing, let's go outside. We're shooting there." And she said, eyes glued on her smartphone: "I think I can't find my jacket..." Give me a break! Even I can see that "lost" jacket. I stormed out of the suite with Meisi and said: "Look what kind of a good decision you've made by not having children yet!" I often think kids can't occasionally understand the lovely moments we offer them. And you can't hold it against them, because they have their own moments we don't understand.

But when we arrived at Kau manor and had to shoot, my mood was gone. Meisi enters the game. She first let me steam off a little. Finally she said: "You're standing here like an evil lady of the manor who's waiting to whip her subjects..." It made me laugh so hard and broke down the wall of discontent. I told her that those photos will be no good. But when she sent me the photos, it made me think of the people who make me laugh, lift our spirits, and appreciate us. This photo series is dedicated to all these people who hold the golden key to making their friends' mood better and sometimes save the day. Have a beautiful Friday!

Monday, April 25, 2016

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was visiting a friend, we had a long nice picnic in her garden and all of a sudden she asked: "How old are you already?" 22, I replied, to which she said: "Ahaa! The biological clock is ticking away already!" I was so speechless I almost choked on my crumble and there were three letters above my head (pardon my French): WTF? I didn't really know what to say back then. You know those moments when you get told something so silly you wonder whether it was a dream or real life.

I like young mothers and I have always loved children, but I would have never imagined myself as a mother at the age of 22. All the more so since I'd found a lot of friends in England at the time and I dropped by London every chance I got, even for a weekend. Family and children didn't seem like something to fantasise about. I was more concerned with what I would wear to the next party at Annabel's or the Dorchester. And rightly so. I haven't regretted my happy life in London for a moment, or the fact that I didn't become a mother at an early age. That question didn't hurt me, but I soon learned that there are women who burst into tears after the same question.

I was working as a society journalist for years, and at the time, newlyweds were my territory as well. In short it meant that when the young couple gave the magazine their wedding photos, and I posed questions about falling in love, getting married, and of course the future. One question I always threw in the air jokingly was about when can we expect little ones. One day I was doing another one of those interviews and when the groom had to leave our meeting early, I was left alone with the newlywed woman. We were looking at wedding photos to see which to publish in the magazine and all of a sudden she started crying. She said that when I asked about expecting children, she said probably never, because they wait and wait, but she just doesn't get pregnant. I think my eyes opened more than ever at that moment. How I asked that stupid question over and over again from young couples! How many people had I hurt with that question? My interviewee said off the rec at the time that her parents and in-laws expect grandchildren of her, and she started crying every time she was asked about it. She said she took me for a stranger on a fast train, because she doesn't tell her girfriends about this. When I left the interview, and got home, I crossed that question out of my interviews forever. I never ask my friends either. For me, it's a question I never ask, because I don't know how much it could hurt.

I was reminded of this topic when my father found my old diaries and gave them to me. Among other things, I found notes I took about my interviewee who had revealed their biggest secret to me. A few days later I sent her seven responses to give those who ask about children in the future. Reading my diary, I decided to write up this story and those responses:1.Oh, how come I don't have children? Don't you see I'm still a child myself? 2. I'm waiting for you to have your first child to see if the sleepless nights are worth it! 3. Why are you interested in that? 4. Definitely not in the next 9 months! 5. To be honest, never. When I change my mind, you're the first to know! 6. Let's talk about this in five years. We have so many other plans. 7. Don't you regret having two/three of them already?Two years later, the woman who started crying during the interview, called me. She said that the first child was finally born into their family and if I want an exclusive interview, I'm going to get it. When I'd done the interview with her, and she was holding her beautiful little baby, she said: "Those responses really helped me. It's sometimes good when someone puts words in your mouth!" She said the one asking about whether the person regrets having children, worked the best. If this post is read by women who get asked about having children, and who have good responses for that, write them in the comments.

Friday, April 22, 2016

This Girl Friday is a bit fancier than usual. Well, to be precise, the dress is longer than usual. Namely, it was my birthday and that calls for a celebration! To be honest, I didn't have a special feeling on my birthday. It was like every other day. I believe everyone has experienced it at least once. Am I right?It's always seemed to be that the special days come to you themselves. On regular days that turn special all of a sudden. And one of those days is in this photo shoot. We spent a long weekend at Kau Manor with the girl (with photographer Meisi and my daughter Rene) that I last visited when it was opened. Back then it was like going through the rabbit hole like Alice and finding oneself from a fairy tale world. The atmosphere at Kau manor is something you can't find anywhere else.

Usually when I've visited Estonian manors, it's felt like walking in a museum. You know the feeling when you're at a museum and afraid that you'll accidentally knock something over? You don't get that feeling at Kau. It's grandiose, unique, and at the same time I felt like I'd arrived home. This emotion can be induced by a rare few grand hotels, not to mention manors.

For half a year already I was cooking up a plan in my head to stage a very special photo shoot at Kau Manor. And when you brood over something for long enough, it can happen that some things even get done. So we packed the car full of clothes, shoes, and accessories, and found ourselves from a long weekend at Kau Manor. Walking from one hall to another, napping in Batak suite, roaming the rooms and corners of the manor - we got different ideas and adventurous shoots were born. So, this spring, you'll find Girl Fridat from Kau Manor instead. On those days we did the shoots and enjoyed unique dinner at Kau Manor's The Eight Legs restaurant, I felt like a birthday girl. That's the magic of Kau Manor - when you're there, every day is like a birthday.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Thursday was the day of Stellarium beauty and fashion night at Debenhams department store. The night was hosted by the stylist and the best personal shopper in Estonia that is Ženja Fokin who has also written men's perfume reviews for Stellarium. So, Ženja was perfect for walking us through the Stellarium gathering. He has the ability to bring a little sunshine from his endless supply of energy by both the stage and while walking among people.I told the guests about my favourite perfumes and about how it's always possible to stay yourself in a world governed by trends. You can also always mix your own style into something boldly trendy. But running along with all fads isn't necessarily a wise thing. We also gave out loads of presents and no one was left hungry because Silk made the table. And Amarula offered something sweet. Thank you everyone who came down! Thank you, Ženja and Debenhams! We'll meet again soon!

The copyright holder of the original photography published in this blog is Meisi Volt, unless stated otherwise. The use of external photos and illustrations on this blog is for reference purposes. Should the copyright holder of the photos used in the blog wish for the images to be removed, please contact info@stellarium.ee. Any redistribution, use, or copying without consent of the original photography in this blog, without the consent of the owner, is prohibited.